"In such an hour as you think not, the Son of Man comes..." (Mt 24:44)

Dear Friend,
It is hope that this newsletter might become a source of encouragement to some readers. In many ways, this is a travel log for me for the last 22 years . In so many ways, this is like a photo album, where snapshots of my thoughts are shared with friends since 1988 when my family and I left for the Philippines to pursue studies at the Asian Theological Seminary. As I look back these 20 over years, I can only be grateful to God for His grace and mercies when He took care of all of us. Now on hind sight, it is so wonderful to see how our lives have been shaped for purpose of helping others in need. What more can we say, except a big “thank you” to God!
With our three girls all working and having families of their own, it would seemed that we should consider retirement; but there is no retirement as more help is needed for the coming generation. We will be retooling our lives to be of help in any way at ground zero i.e. the spiritual trenches of the families. Today’s people are assuaged on all fronts – physical, mental and particularly the spiritual front. With the advancement of IT, this battle is raging on within the hearts and minds.
What is that one thing that disturbs you most? Many would identify the global meltdown or the alarming ecological issues of our times or even the surging human population as worthy issues. Alas, in my opinion, it is the danger that stalks within our very homes that is really disturbing. Many of our young adults and teenagers are afflicted by the Trojan Invasion of the Dark Side.
In Malachi chapter 4:4-6
"Remember the law of my servant Moses, the decrees and laws I gave him at Horeb for all Israel. "See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the LORD comes. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse."
The disintegration of the family is a sign of crushing moral and spiritual degeneration in our society. God sees the yawning generation gap which will result in the collapse of the family where parents distance themselves from their children. Our modern living preferences over-ride home and family by compensation of good life that material promises might bring. All too often, parents can afford “good things” for their families but never have the time to enjoy their children. Many parents would even choose toys from the most expensive range for their children thinking that it would compensate for their neglect.
Well-meaning parents are known to give Game Boy consoles and the like which is the top of range of Nintendo games for Christmas or birthdays. The result of such a choice may prove disastrous as it could be the very root of problem. Don’t get me wrong that I’m anti-video games or entertainment…but I’m suspicious of this being used as a “Trojan Horse” by the evil one to influence our children. There is the possibility of them being tempted to move into more advanced games that contain elements of violence and witchcraft. These video games will suck them into a never-ending vortex of IT addiction, robbing them of their childhood. It scares me to think of how we can lose touch with the real spiritual warfare in our very own homes as our children face a long hard road toward recovery.
Children introduced to video games at such an early age, can sit for hours playing games all by themselves, devoid of company. Of course, parents don’t mind that a bit! Many parents are totally ignorant of this danger as they do not take the effort to read and explore as to whether these games are really that educational as claimed to be. We may have messed up our roles as parents…as guardians of the gate of our homes.
We have heard of parents hauling in companies producing tainted milk to court etc. but we have yet to hear parents suing the manufacturers of video and online games for the loss of their children! If your child has grown up on Game Boy as kind of entertainment diet, he will not be satisfied with that alone. He will graduate to other more advanced games and there is no stopping him from developing into a full-blown IT addict! We are privy to cases of young people suffering from bipolar manic depression. Although more research needs to be carried out, we shouldn’t ignore the dangers these games have on our children.
We have come across young people who explain that these games help them to relax but if one were to examine the issue, one wonders why such games are usually so addictive? After hours of playing, the individual seems so distant and remote (like a body snatcher that has done his work!)! If such games do really help one to relax and even revitalize oneself, then there should be no such thing as a mental hang-over. Instead, we should encourage our children to enjoy themselves with healthy outdoor sports that will help to burn up calories or even some wholesome social activities where they can share with others.
Now is the time for parents to speak out and share their fears of what is happening to their children. Parents of preteens must monitor and control these problems from occurring to avoid heartaches later on. As for those already in the troll of addiction, it is too late. We can only confront those stricken and counsel them to decrease their playing time…like I said the road to recovery will be a long one.
There is no certainty that such an afflicted individual will grow out of it. I know some young men in their thirties who are still spending more time in front of their video consoles then spending time with their loved ones. We shouldn’t soft-pedal this danger but we should view this like any other form of addiction e.g. alcohol, drug addiction. For further reference, visit http://allpsych.com/journal/internet addiction.
On a more serious note, who is behind all these attacks on the family? Our antagonist has sown the seeds of destruction to maim the families in order to cripple the family. We, as parents should know our priorities and stand guard like the watchmen (Ps 130:6).
Let us be vigilant so that we may more watchful in protecting our family from dangers within and without the home.

Sincerely,
Victor Wong